The recent passing of one of Britain’s, and
indeed the world’s, leading subversive figures in the world of pop has been
rightly attested to by many in the past few days. David Bowie’s constant
reinvention of his own sound and image has understandably left its mark on many
musicians across many genres, one of whom, Boy George, wrote a touching
tribute to his greatest influence.

A figure already legendary through his work
with Culture Club, Boy George continued to build on his status in the UK music
scene through his solo work, making the position of Boy George agent
a very competitive one indeed. Famed for his androgynous appearance, Boy
George’s iconic image was one inspired by a David Bowie he described as looking
‘alien’, commenting, “He looked so theatrical, so larger than life.”

Boy George hails not only the star’s
appearance as having influenced his own image over the years but of course his fantastically
versatile music, changing the image of rock music worldwide with his constantly
evolving style and image. Described as a ‘magpie’ in relation to this unique
ability, Boy George commenting further that, “His talent was to take the best
and strongest things around him and throw them into the mix and create
something unique.

went to start his own group, named Culture
Club because of its diverse membership: Boy George a cross dressing Irishman,
black-British bassist Mikey Craig, Jewish drummer Jon Moss, and ethnically
English Roy Hay.

After the dissolution of Culture Club in
1986, Boy George launched his own solo career, although not without
tribulations on the way. Struggling through drug addiction he went on to
release underground hits in the 90s, as well as starting his own record label
and pioneering another side to his performing talents as a DJ. More recently
Boy George has signed as a judge
on the BBC show The Voice.

Despite rising to high levels of fame
himself, Boy George
admitted to being still intimidated by Bowie, until they met for dinner in New
York in 2005 where the amicable conversation between the two rambled through
such varied topics as Russian art films, British tea and the Britisk,kh TV show
EastEnders.